We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Shear Panel?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 19,719
Share

A shear panel is a wall in a structure which is designed to counteract lateral stress, ensuring that the structure remains sound even when it is subjected to violent shearing motions. Lateral shear is especially common in earthquakes, when structures are whipped back and forth as the ground moves, and it is also caused by high winds, particularly in the case of tall buildings. Many building codes around the world require the use of shear panels in construction for safety.

Shear panels are also known as shear walls or braced panels. They are constructed by bolting a number of lateral supports to the external framing of a building, along with the internal joists in the floor and roof. These supports stabilize the structure, and when covered by a wall, they turn into a solid reinforcing wall which will resist lateral shear. The strength of resistance depends on the size of the structure, the width of the shear panel, and the construction materials used.

In order to be effective, a shear panel must be both strong and stiff. Strong walls are important, to resist the tearing forces involved with lateral sheer. Stiffness is also critical, to ensure that the shear panel holds its position in addition to remaining intact. The amount of strength and stiffness needed can be calculated by an engineer or architect to determine whether or not the shear panel will do its job. Shear walls can be load bearing or non-load bearing, but in both cases, they are critical to the structural integrity of the building.

Many building codes err on the side of caution, which is why shear panels are required even in regions where high winds and earthquakes are rare. Freak weather conditions do happen, and it is better to be prepared for an event which never happens than to be underprepared for a devastating earthquake or storm. When constructing shear panels, contractors also need to think about how the space is going to be used, because they want to provide structural support without infringing upon the usability of the space.

Windows and doors do not provide resistance against shear forces, and therefore, structures built with lots of windows need to be constructed very carefully. The use of many windows may require more shear panels than would otherwise be needed, with the goal of creating a strong core to support the building in the event that severe shear forces occur. Especially in the case of large buildings, it is always a good idea to get an additional engineering firm to look over the plans to check for any design flaws or overlooked safety features.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-shear-panel.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.